Lady Cardinals Defeat Mid-State Rival Norfolk Catholic

February 1, 2011

Always nice to beat the Knights!
A raucous home crowd, led by a spirited (and toga-clad) student section, helped the Boone Central Lady Cardinals pass a stern test against visiting Norfolk Catholic Thursday, Jan. 27, defeating the rival Lady Knights 67-58 in a marquee Mid-State Conference match-up.
Boone Central followed up Friday with a win at Battle Creek and takes a 14-3 season mark into this week’s Mid-State tournament at Norfolk.
Weather had already begun to play havoc with the tourney schedule, with Monday and Tuesday opening-round games postponed. Conference officials hoped to play all 1st round games Wednesday. At the Albion News Tuesday deadline, the tournament semi-final and consolation-bracket games Thursday and Friday and Saturday’s championship line-up were still planned as scheduled.

Boone Central hosted a Norfolk Catholic team Thursday that lost to Class C1 #1 Wahoo by just 10 points at Wahoo the previous week.
Catholic pushed the Lady Cardinals throughout this competitive conference tilt, as well, but Boone Central answered every challenge and delivered a 67-58 victory for its boisterous crowd.
Coach Mike Kennedy said his team also showed some important improvement.
“Two areas we really wanted to improve on were better movement on offense and committing fewer fouls on defense,” he noted. “Improvement in those paid dividends in this game.
“This was a very intense, emotional game. Our student body and fans created a great atmosphere for a game between two really good basketball teams.
“Our players and coaches really appreciate the support.”

Boone Central befuddled the Knights with a terrific inside-outside attack in the third period. Kennedy and Bobbi Beckwith rained in 3-pointers and, when Catholic stepped out on shooters, Lehmann and Maria Glidden made them pay in the paint with five and four points, respectively, as the Cards took a 51-43 advantage.
Catholic kept the pressure on throughout the final stanza, but BC secured the decision with some steady shooting. The Cardinals dropped 8-of-14 free throws in the quarter, while Kennedy hit her third trey of the contest and freshman Jade Gottier cooly swished her own bomb in the closing minutes.

Using early offense and a solid defensive performance, Boone Central scored a 55-44 conference victory at Battle Creek Friday.
The Lady Cardinals raced to a 19-7 first-quarter lead and held a commanding 36-16 halftime advantage before treading water in the second half.
“We played very well in the first half, then hung on for an important win,” Kennedy commented. “The mark of a good team is being able to win on those nights you are not at your best.”
Battle Creek probably thought the Cardinals looked pretty good in the opening 16 minutes. With Kennedy and Lehmann netting six points apiece, Boone Central opened a 12 point gap after one period of play.
The Cards continued to pound away inside in quarter two as Lehmann poured in seven more points and Sara Wells added three. Kennedy and Beckwith nailed 3-point field goals for good measure as Boone Central took complete control by intermission.